Hear what I'm not saying

Upon my strolls on some of the past readings I did, I stumbled upon this and I thought I would just share. Maybe help those who would want to be heard.

Don't be fooled by me.

Don't be fooled by the mask I wear.

For I wear a mask.

I wear a thousand masks.

Masks that I'm afraid to take off,

& none of them is me.

Pretending is an art

That is second nature with me,

But don't be fooled.

I give the impressions that I'm secure,

That all is sunny & unruffled with me.

Within as well as without.

That confidence is my name

& coolness is my game.

That the waters are calm

& I'm in command & I need no one.

But don't believe it. Please don't.

I idly chatter with you

In the suave tones of surface talk.

I tell you everything,

That's really nothing,

Nothing of what's really within me.

So when I'm going through my routine,

Don't be fooled by what I'm saying.

Please listen carefully

& try to hear what I'm not saying.

What I'd like to be able to say;

What for survival; I need to say

But I can't say.

I dislike the hiding.

Honestly I do.

I dislike the superficial phony games I'm playing.

I'd really like to be genuine,

Spontaneous & me;

But you have to help me.

By holding out your hand,

Even when that's the last thing

I seem to want or need.

Each time you're kind & gentle & encouraging,

Each time you try to understand

Because you really care,

My heart begins to grow wings.

Very small wings. Very feeble wings.

But wings.

With your sensitivity

& power of understanding,

I can make it.

You can breathe life into me.

It will not be easy for you.

A long conviction of worthlessness

Builds strong walls.

But love is stronger than walls,

& there in, lies my hope.

Beat down those walls,

With firm but gentle hands

For a child is very sensitive,

& I am a child.

Who am I?

You may wonder.

For I am every man,

Every woman,

Every child.

Every human you meet.